What is the minimum wage in the U.K.?

The national minimum wage in the UK was introduced in 1999 and is the lowest amount which an employer can pay his staff by the hour. The national rates usually increase every year and October 2010 saw one of the age brackets change. The minimum wage was introduced as a way to stop sweatshops from operating but it does have disadvantages to being introduced.

The rates of pay

National minimum rate ofpay The rates of pay continually changes making it difficult to state the rate of the pay. This can be found at Direct.gov.uk (National Minimum Wage Rates). It is set for those in different age brackets and also for those who are doing apprenticeships rather than working full time. Who can get the rate? Not every worker in the UK is applicable for the national minimum rate, however the majority are. Those who are paid in cash, cheques or direct transfer are entitled to the minimum pay rates, no matter how many hours you work per week or the pattern of your work. However, those who are of compulsory school age are not applicable to the basic pay.

Who else is not entitled to the minimum rate?

Workers not entitled to the minimum employment rates Those who are self-employed are not entitled to receive the minimum rate. There can be a fine line for some who believe that they are workers but are told that they are self-employed. This is up to the employer to prove that the person is self-employed. Volunteers are also not entitled to the minimum wages since they are usually unpaid for what they do. Finally, a person who is doing work experience is not entitled to receive the minimum salary. There are others that who listed on the Direct Gov website.

What about those on a salary?

Are salary workers entitled to minimum wage? Those who work on a salary will have a set amount of hours contracted to them. The amount which is set for the month should work out to meet the minimum wage per hour. It is possible to work this out by taking your yearly salary and dividing that by 52, to get your weekly wage, and then dividing that by the number of hours you work per week.